1997 ford splash 4x4 Auto hubs ?

[ddsmith1958]

Hello Everyone,
I have just bought a 1997 Ford Ranger 4.0 Splash Stepside 4x4 and I love it.
My problem is , that the guy that sold it to me had made an attempt to repack the front wheel bearings and in doing so installed the front Auto locking hubs incorrect.
He did not align the two tangs into the slots correctly and when he tried the 4x4 out he broke the tangs on both auto hubs on the front.
He removed the auto hubs on both sides and found the two tangs on each side and digarded them .
He put everything back together and it does great in 2 wheel drive.
My question is should i go back to Auto hubs on the front or use a set of the manual after market hubs ?
Also could you suggest which ones and where I might get them cheap.
And will i need any other parts to change it from auto hubs to manual if I go that route ?
Thanks

[Destroyer000]

your best bet is to convert to warn manual hubs.. check the parts for sale section on here.. theirs always guys getting rid of manual hubs cheap...

[jrmustranger97]

I would definitely go with the warn manual hubs. Sometimes it's a pain to get out and lock them but they are more reliable than the auto hubs. I picked mine up at NAPA for about $200. This included the spindle nut conversion kit which you will need. If NAPA doesn't have them, you can order them through any specialty parts store.

Part # 29071 (manual hub)
Part # 32720 Manual Hub Spindle Nut Kit; 19 Spline And 27 Spline;


Here is the link with instructions on how to install the conversion.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/howto_hubswap.htm :icon_thumby:
Good Luck

[Shotokan1509]

Warn makes a manual hub for Jeep D35's that are stronger than the Ranger piece and works perfectly. Read the link for the explanation, this what I am running along with quite a few other people on this board. I believe if you are going to replace you might as well go with the strongest. I think I paid a tad under $200 (late 2006) for the hubs and the spindle nut conversion kit.

Warn pt# 37780

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/May04/offroad.htm


EDIT: You will need a D35 hub socket to install the new spindle nuts (should cost $20) It is a large socket, round inside but has 4 teeth that protrude from the end.
Example, but mine is flat between the 4 prongs, not those indents.
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/sjdiscounttools_1973_14117869

[Ranger44]

Manual Hubs

[rickcdewitt]

you can get everything you need from the wrecking yard also,ford used the warn hubs from the factory.if your truck has 33's or smaller you really don't need the better jeep hubs.

[DangerRanger96]

I went thru TRS site... found a store on the home page, and got them cheap. They are great...Just have to remember to lock and unlock!!

[Shotokan1509]

I went thru TRS site... found a store on the home page, and got them cheap. They are great...Just have to remember to lock and unlock!!

http://www.trsfabandoffroad.com/products/warnhubs.htm :clapping:

[oldmantruck]

I got the milemarker hubs from summit. with the superwinch spindle nuts and summit brand wrench. This was the cheepest posibility for new stuff that I found to that point. ( I hope the mile marker hubs are good enough, I'll let you know if either break).

After I ordered I found a site that said that if you ask for spindle nuts for an 80's f150( d44) you can find them for 9 bucks per side, I spent about 15 so look around first you could probably save a few bucks.